PEARL — A five-man team comprised of four Mississippi Emergency Management Agency staff and one Mississippi Army National Guard member has gone to Hawaii to support response efforts to Tropical Storm Iselle and oncoming Hurricane Julio. The team was requested by Hawaii Emergency Management through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

“I have been in close contact with Hawaii EMA Director Doug Mayne since Monday and told him Gov. Bryant said we would help with anything they may need. Late last night we finalized the details of this mission and got them on a plane first thing this morning,” said MEMA Executive Director Robert Latham. “It’s through those personal relationships I have with other states and our experience with hurricanes that makes this possible.” We are honored to be able to assist Hawaii with their efforts as the state is being hit for the first time in more than 20 years.”

The team is what’s called an EMAC “A-Team,” which will help coordinate response and recovery resources into the state of Hawaii. The mission is being led by MEMA Logistics Chief Don Wilson and is scheduled to last for 14 days.

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact is an agreement signed by all 50 states and the U.S. Territories and allows for state-to-state support during disasters. The expenses for this deployment are being paid by the state of Hawaii.